Three-Course Lunch @ Redd, Yountville

First, the Main: The New York Steak Sandwich, cooked Medium Rare,
with Onion Rings @ Redd, Yountville.

Now that I no longer spend my days in a Michelin-star kitchen, the idea of fine dining has become more appealing to me. Perhaps familiarity does breed contempt — not that I hate fine dining. It’s just, sometimes you have to come up for air, right? Of course, even if more fine dining is my mission, I’m still going to opt for a steak sandwich if I see one, especially one that features my favorite cut of beef, the New York strip (the rib-eye is a close second, but I still favor the intense flavor of the New York, even at the expense of marbling). And also, I have a track record for ordering humble sandwiches from Michelin-star restaurants. The steak sandwich at Redd is dressed with arugula, caramelized onions, and horseradish aioli, and it’s served upon a toasted brioche bun. The steak is cooked to your requested temperature, so nothing is left to chance. Quite good.

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Next, the Appetizer: The Pork Belly @ Redd, Yountville.

The pork belly appetizers has been a staple of Redd’s menu, perhaps since the restaurant’s beginning, although I’m not absolutely certain of that fact. However, I can tell you that I’ve had this dish several times over the years, so I do know that it does have some history. Tender sections of braised pork belly are accented with apple puree, soy caramel, and burdock root. Great flavor combinations at work.

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And Lastly, the Dessert: The Butterscotch Pudding @ Redd, Yountville.

A stealth dessert, Redd’s Butterscotch Pudding disguises delicious flavor and texture beneath its benign, beige two-tone shroud. The upper layer of vanilla anglaise features the delicate, airy consistency of foam, while the lower layer of pudding delivers rich butterscotch character. In between these two layers, salty pretzels add a crunchy counterpoint to this dessert, alongside small bits of toffee. Pine-nut shortbread cookies provide the final element. Redd has offered other butterscotch desserts in the past, and this flavor seems to be a restaurant favorite. Recommended.

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